External Links

(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)

An avalanche expert says the deaths of eight people this month in the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta are especially heartbreaking because there is so much information available warning of the danger.

The avalanche victims have included snowmobilers, backcountry skiers, hikers and snowshoers to a father and son who were buried while tobogganing within sight of the Chateau Lake Louise luxury hotel.

In total this winter, 13 people have died in avalanches in B.C. and Alberta. That's up from six deaths last year. The 10-year average is 12 fatalities.

"It is frustrating when a significant number of people die in avalanches," Ilya Storm, a spokesman for the Canadian Avalanche Centre, said Monday.

"In at least two of these accidents the people probably were not aware of avalanches at all — and that is a huge challenge for us. We are looking for ways to be able to extend the reach of our public safety initiatives."

The Canadian Avalanche Centre posts detailed daily avalanche forecasts online, but many popular recreation areas also post their own warning signs. (CBC)

Storm said the non-profit centre faces the challenge of putting information out to two very different groups.

Conditions in the mountain snowpack this season have been troublesome. In some places, deep snow is making it difficult to locate weak layers associated with avalanches (CBC)

Along with forecasts, the centre offers avalanche awareness programs for people who live in or frequent the mountains, including safety courses aimed at backcountry enthusiasts and young people in schools.

It's a different story for tourists or people with less experience in the mountains.

There are avalanche warning signs and information kiosks in some areas. There is an avalanche app available for smartphones. Some hotels carry avalanche forecast information and broadcast it into guest rooms on internal TV channels.